Laboratory shaker apparatus

Abstract

A shaker apparatus is provided for laboratory testing. The apparatus comprises a base that is reciprocally movable relative to a sub-base. A frame is mounted to the base and includes spaced apart vertical supports with a horizontal support assembly rotatably mounted therebetween. A plurality of test vessels are mounted to the horizontal support assembly and can be rotated with the horizontal support assembly 180° relative to the base. The vessels may be subjected to simultaneous shaking for identical periods of time. The horizontal frame assembly to which the vessels are mounted can be inverted between adjacent periods of shaking to permit selected refilling of the vessels, escape of gases therefrom and drainage of material from the vessels.

We claim: 
     
       1. A shaker device for agitating a vessel containing a solution, the vessel having a first sealable opening into which the solution can enter the vessel and a second sealable opening from which the solution can exit the vessel, said shaker device comprising: a sub-base;   a base moveably connected to said sub-base;   means for moving said base, relative to said sub-base, for providing agitation to a vessel;   a first support having a first portion fixedly mounted to a first location of said base and a second portion located above said base;   a second support having a first portion fixedly mounted to a second location of said base and a second portion located above said base; and   vessel support means having a first end rotatably mounted to the second portion of said first support and a second end rotatably mounted to the second portion of said second support, said vessel support means for securely retaining the vessel thereto in a substantially upright position, said vessel support means further for rotating the vessel, about a generally horizontal axis relative to said base, 180° to position the vessel in a substantially upside-down position in order to allow a second opening of the vessel to be open during agitation to allow gases generated by the agitation of the solution to escape therethrough during agitation.   
     
     
       2. The shaker device of claim 1, said shaker device further comprising: locking means for locking said vessel support means in the position where it is rotated 180° in order to retain the vessel in the substantially upside-down position during agitation.   
     
     
       3. The shaker device of claim 1, wherein said vessel support means comprises: a first support piece having a first retaining mechanism to retain the vessel thereto at or near a first opening of the vessel; and   a second support piece having a second retaining mechanism to retain the vessel thereto at or near the second opening of the vessel.   
     
     
       4. The shaker device of claim 3, wherein said first retaining mechanism comprises a clamp tube. 
     
     
       5. The shaker device of claim 3, wherein said second retaining mechansim comprises a washer. 
     
     
       6. The shaker device of claim 3, wherein said second retaining mechanism comprises: a first support post having a first end fixedly mounted to said second support piece and a second end located outwardly therefrom;   a second support post having a first end fixedly mounted to said second support piece and a second end located outwardly therefrom; and   a swivel washer rotatably mounted between the second ends of said first and second support posts.